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SCHELL CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is pleased to announce that construction at Schell-Osage Conservation Area (CA) is complete, and the area will reopen to the public on Oct. 3.
Over the past 20 years, MDC has dedicated time and funding to update aging infrastructure at five Missouri’s oldest wetland conservation areas as part of the Golden Anniversary Wetland Initiative. Schell-Osage CA was the final project of the initiative, and MDC partnered with Ducks Unlimited on the large-scale endeavor.
This project included multiple phases. Phase 1 included installation of a pump station on the Osage River. Phases 2 and 3 began in January 2025 and focused on floodplain infrastructure, including relocating levees and installing new structures to improve water management.
Despite a wet spring and out-of-bank flooding earlier this year, contractors worked when conditions allowed and have completed the renovation. The completion marks the end of the Golden Anniversary Wetland Initiative and allows Schell-Osage CA to reopen for public use.
MDC invites the public to take a self-guided tour from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 3. MDC staff will be stationed around the area to answer questions and highlight new aspects of the area on this day. A dedication ceremony from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Schell-Osage CA in Schell City will feature a ribbon-cutting and guest speakers.
Visitors will see several improvements throughout the area. Some waterfowl hunting blinds have been relocated to accommodate levee realignments. Old wooden blinds have been removed, and new blinds were built into sloping, earthen mounds, and more.
Renovations also focused on Schell Lake. The new water-control structure will allow the lake to be recharged from fluctuating levels in the Osage River and Truman Lake Reservoir, rather than catching run-off from the west side. Once recharged, water within Schell Lake will no longer need to be lowered to flood adjacent wetland pools, as it was in previous years.
The lake’s topography was also enhanced with a deeper channel and three new islands. Several fishing jetties have been added along the shoreline, and numerous fish attractors were placed on the lake bottom. Fish will benefit from these modifications by finding deepwater refuge and enhanced habitat structure.
“This renovation at Schell Osage was a monumental project,” said MDC Wetland Coordinator Frank Nelson. “It focused on multiple goals to accommodate public use, increase ecological function and habitat for a range of wetland and aquatic species, while also considering chronic challenges and long-term maintenance costs. It has been a long time in the making, but MDC is happy to open the area back up to public use.”
As waterfowl season approaches, MDC reminds the public that portions of the conservation area will close Oct. 15 to provide undisturbed resting and feeding sanctuaries for migrating ducks and geese. A morning draw will occur for the Middle Zone duck season beginning Nov. 7 through Dec. 13, with a closed split, and resuming Dec. 19 to Jan. 10, 2027. In-season reservations will also be open for Schell-Osage this season.
Learn about Schell-Osage Conservation Area’s history at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/schell-osage-conservation-area
Check out the timeline and updates page for more details about Shell-Osage Conservation Area at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/schell-osage-ca/schell-osage-updates
